Beware of Online Coronavirus Scams
The overwhelming amount of news coverage surrounding the novel
Coronavirus
has created a new danger — Coronavirus scams looking to exploit public
fears about the virus. Coronavirus scams exploit people’s concerns for their
health and safety and pressure them into being tricked using social
engineering. Social Engineering is manipulative and exploits human
vulnerability because criminals know that the weakest link in the information
security chain is the human being.
These new scams include spoofed emails offering products such as masks, or
fake offerings of vaccines, leading to
phishing websites. These emails come from seemingly realistic and reputable companies which
manipulate people into clicking on links. Some of these websites prompt the
user for personal information which ending up in the hands of cybercriminals.
Cybercriminals are also using
SMS Phishing, more commonly known as SMishing, to trick victims into clicking on a link
disguised as information on a Coronavirus breakout in their area to steal your
credentials. Some of these texts claim to provide free masks or pretend to be
companies that have experienced delays in deliveries due to the Coronavirus.
Once criminals have the correct level of confidential information about your
bank account, they can impersonate you and transact using the correct
credentials but without authority.
“Although some spoofed emails can be difficult to identify, we urge bank
clients to think twice before clicking on any link, even if an email looks
legitimate. Any suspicious emails should not be opened and are best deleted.”
says SABRIC acting CEO, Susan Potgieter.
SABRIC urges bank clients to take note of the following tips to protect
themselves:
Phishing & SMishing
- Do not click on links or icons in unsolicited emails.
- Never reply to these emails. Delete them immediately.
- Do not believe the content of unsolicited emails blindly. If you are concerned about what is being alleged in the email, use your own contact details to contact the sender and confirm.
- Check that you are on the authentic/real site before entering any personal information.
- Do not click on links or icons in unsolicited SMSs.
- Do not reply to these SMSs. Delete them immediately.
- Do not believe the content of unsolicited SMSs blindly. If you are worried about what is alleged, use your own contact details to contact the sender to confirm.
- Regard urgent security alerts, offers or deals as warning signs of a hacking attempt.
Help spread the word and keep those you care about from falling for a scam,
regardless of their age or health status.
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